CONNECTING THE DOTS Why does what and who came before us matter? - Institute for Parks, People, and ...
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COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES
CONNECTING
THE DOTS
Why does what
and who came
before us
matter?
Nina S. Roberts and Alan Spears
PREFACE—NOTES FROM NINA
Why is “Coloring Outside the Lines” the title of my ple from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds
column in this journal? In the end, it is all about have been doing it. We are out there; always have
changing the narrative. Coloring Outside the Lines been. For me, this also leads back to a discussion of
leads me to further action about engaging com- social permission as well as addressing structural
munities of color outdoors and into the natural barriers. This column title speaks to innovation
world—for those who have not had such experi- coupled with communities of color and arbitrary
ences, that is. I didn’t say “start engaging” because “lines.” We must expand the conversation. Yet
people of color have been immersed in the out- when our political climate challenges this work and
doors/nature for centuries. From living outdoors, national priorities become twisted, progress made
working in nature and fearing the woods, to play- decade-after-decade reverses its course, leading
ing, exploring, and loving nature (and more), peo- to natural resource destruction and sociocultural
deterioration. This issue’s essay is written with my
friend and colleague, Alan Spears, senior director
of cultural resources, National Parks Conservation
Boarding a bus for a 14-day backpacking trip in the High Sierras, 1970s. Association; we hope readers think differently and
| COURTESY OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURES ARCHIVES
become inspired.
PSF 36/2 | 2020 173
In many ways, there is a lack of
knowledge and honoring of our past,
especially as it relates to people of color,
INTRODUCTION including our own involvement in
John Muir and Rachel Carson are pioneers in their
own right, yet how many people know, for example,
preservation and conservation.
who Lancelot Jones or Martha B. Aikens are? Few
involved in the world of parks and protected areas Resources Review Commission (ORRRC) report,
have a sense about the forefathers and foremothers or even earlier, and in 2002 Rodriguez and Roberts
who are pioneers in engaging communities of in- critiqued our nation’s progress, or lack thereof,
terest across cultures. In many ways, there is a lack 40 years later. That was nearly 20 years ago. Since
of knowledge and honoring of our past, especially then, diversity has become a “hot topic” and we’ve
as it relates to people of color, including our own seen a surge of additional research, a plethora of
involvement in preservation and conservation. We new programs and organizations, a burst of main-
pay a great price as a result. In this column we offer stream media coverage, and noteworthy language
a brief historical perspective with hopes to inspire shifts, to name a few.
the future. We offer a reminder that there were
other organizational leaders who paved the way to What does the scarcity of people of color outdoors
create the progress we see today in parks, conser- mean for public lands, national parks, subsequent
vation education, environmental studies, outdoor policy about those landscapes, and our collective
recreation, and related areas. ability as a nation to protect and preserve them?
What happens if we don’t invest in this work and
Well into the 21st century federal land manage- figure out how to truly “get it right”? Diversity will
ment agencies (FMLAs) such as the National always be an essential construct, and this work
Park Service (NPS) and non-profit organizations has evolved to become part of acronyms such as
like the National Parks Conservation Association RDI (Relevance Diversity Inclusion), EDI (Equity
(NPCA) continue to struggle to make and sustain Diversity Inclusion; some use DEI—same acronym,
gains on the relevancy, diversity, and inclusion different order), and now Justice Equity Diversity
front. Younger practitioners often operate in a Inclusion (JEDI). This is great—yet it risks being
vacuum where their organizational culture and potentially meaningless if organizations who estab-
history make the critical blunder of engaging in lish statements reflecting any of the above, and post
justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work with- them online, but don’t follow through or commit
out the benefit of understanding that generations the resources necessary for success.
still living, and possibly sitting one or two cubicles
over, have trodden these same paths before. Implicit racism is deeply embedded in US society
and the culture of parks and conservation is no
As a result, we begin to feel as if we are living in an exception. A lack of awareness intensifies the prob-
enhanced cultural diversity version of the movie lem. Many individuals in these or related fields who
Groundhog Day, predestined to relive, redo, and are privileged by belonging to one or more dom-
reenact the past with little hope of learning from inant groups do not feel responsible for the sys-
our history and adapting our approaches to ensure temic racism that also exists in the parks culture.
success. How does education come into play as we People who do not experience a certain type of
seek to train the Next Gen of leaders and deci- inequity tend to dismiss it more easily than those
sion-makers? Professionals have all been talking who do. Thank you to all those who helped move
about “changing demographics” for a while, yet few the needle forward. This includes traditional parks
have a profound sense of what that really means. and conservation professionals as well as people
In this article, there’s no way to include everything of color, our unsung heroes who were not always
that we’d like or that we know is important; hence, treated kindly or with respect, yet helped shape the
what we share is not exhaustive so any omissions public lands conversation that we know today.
of organizations or specific individuals are not
intended to diminish values or contributions. We The social media sensation has been exploding and
merely hope to help connect the dots. For exam- has brought this work to an innovative level, both
ple, people of color outdoors has been a topic of dispelling myths and encouraging new users and
conversation since the 1962 Outdoor Recreation visitors across cultures. The advent of social media
PSF 36/2 | 2020 174
People of color [will become]
the US’s majority by the 2040s....
To ignore these shifts is to do so at our
in the late 1990s created an ability to exponentially peril; there’s a greater opportunity to
spread messages, tell our stories, and promote our
programs to communities of interest (e.g., people
reach more, be bigger, do better.
of color, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities). And
with these technological advances, this platform Demographics continue to depict a seismic trans-
brings with it an opportunity for race-specific affin- formation, including people of color becoming
ity groups, among others, to band together because the US’s majority by the 2040s, according to the
they can, and because they want to. For example, Census Bureau. To ignore these shifts is to do so
the new kids on the block, such as Outdoor Afro, at our peril; there’s a greater opportunity to reach
Latino Outdoors, Outdoor Asian, and Natives more, be bigger, do better. Knowing this is fact and
Outdoors, seek to serve a very specific typology not fiction, organizations have begun to get on
and are a welcome commodity! We applaud their the DEI bandwagon in a way that, for some, reaps
leadership, growth, and increased visibility. They great rewards of progress. For others, “lip service
play a vital role in national progress and change and rhetoric” is still the rule of the land causing
(see diversifyoutdoors.com for other examples). them to get left behind and, consequently, unable
Additionally, each of these organizations has a to recruit a diverse workforce. And, in many cases
different history in the outdoors, so some of their these parks and other outdoor organizations are,
nature-based activities that connect them to therefore, unable to retain extraordinary talent
their past, their families’ cultures, or ancestors, because people of color can read between the lines
for instance, will reflect their outdoor practices and no longer have to stay where they are not val-
differently. While many organizations of the past ued or their perspectives and knowledge embraced.
also served specific communities of interest, others Combined with structural and social factors, the
sought to engage a broad cultural constituency, relative homogeneity in the parks and related fields
partially because there was a smaller proportion of reinforces the dominant culture. This fact notwith-
people of color to reach. standing, many organizations, from non-profits
to FLMAs, have diversified their staff and boards
in some respects. Yet, the reality is this remains a
smaller proportion than what has been predicted
for the 21st century (see Green 2.0, formerly the
Green Diversity Initiative). There are models and
“best practices” by others who have advanced this
work—not without challenges, flaws, and short-
comings. These organizations were an impetus
and have shared many lessons learned along the
journey.
A RICH AND REWARDING HISTORY:
ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES
WHO PAVED THE WAY
There have been racially diverse leaders in the
field of parks and protected areas hard at work for
decades. Additionally, researchers and academic
scholars have explored this work for a long time,
acknowledging the history, trends, and gaps in the
literature. Perhaps only in the last 10–15 years, the
tide is turning, and more voices are being heard.
A conversation that has occurred for 50+ years,
including the pursuit of “equitable access” that
has been at the forefront of the work of pioneering
Young Brothers from East Oakland enjoy tide pooling at individuals and organizations, is finally receiving
Point Reyes National Seashore, circa 1990. | COURTESY RUNNING GRASS
the recognition it deserves (Erin Gates, California
PSF 36/2 | 2020 175
“There has been a long history of
people of color who have been directly
involved and engaged in outdoor
State Parks, personal communication). Depending recreation, quite literally going back to
on the type of organization, there may be greater
flexibility or, in other cases, merely some action-
the founding of our country.... ”
oriented professionals working amidst a sea of
bureaucracy who may not feel heard. As Gates established, and that summer Buffalo Soldiers went
notes, “Just because the government is listening off to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies
doesn’t validate the message. The message was val- to help fight wildfires (Nix 2018). A recent NPS re-
id a long time ago, and pioneers have been sharing source study (National Park Service 2019) evalua
that message.... [Organizations] must continue to ted ways to increase awareness and understanding
create space for these conversations, ask the tough of the Buffalo Soldiers as well as develop new
questions, and be willing to listen.” methods to enhance historical research, education,
and interpretation.
Having some knowledge of this evolution is con-
ducive to making progress. Although some people, Over the last 60 years, many organizations played a
especially those who began this work more recent role and were instrumental in the outdoor rec-
ly, may not know precisely the names of these reation and conservation “movements” that laid
leaders or organizations, the vital ingredient is foundational stones and have “paved the way” for
recognizing there has, in fact, been extraordinary our work today. The examples that follow are just
effort—painful at times yet always rewarding—lay- one way to increase awareness that we’ve done this
ing the groundwork for the innovative programs work for a long time. This list is not exhaustive.
and policy changes we see today. They provide the reader with extraordinary models
as an attempt to reach those audiences less familiar
Researchers across cultures notwithstanding, one with the history of these efforts (e.g., journalists,
of the few journalists who have made this eminent- program directors, new grassroots organizations,
ly clear is James Mills. In his book The Adventure social media influencers, new outdoor enthusiasts
Gap he makes a strong statement that there have across race, class, and gender).
been role models all along. As he acknowledges,
“There has been a long history of people of color On the federal government level, we acknowl-
who have been directly involved and engaged in edge the history of segregation on public lands
outdoor recreation, quite literally going back to and conflicts that sometimes arose among, and
the founding of our country through the age of between, users and land managers as a result of
exploration, through the 19th and
20th centuries.” Furthermore,
an important distinction is that
other people of color spent time
outdoors, yet for them doing so
was not always a recreational
experience. For example, the
black regular Army troops, more
commonly referred to as Buffalo
Soldiers, spent much of their time
outdoors mostly in the American
West, yet what they were doing
would not be considered recre-
ational. A great example from Nix
(2018) takes us back to 1904 when
the Buffalo Soldiers constructed
an arboretum in Yosemite, recog-
nized today as the first museum in
our national parks. Six years later, Buffalo Soldiers in the 24th Infantry carried out mounted patrol duties in Yosemite National Park, 1899.
| YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ARCHIVES
in 1910, Glacier National Park was
PSF 36/2 | 2020 176
History teaches us that despite
a decree outlawing racial
discrimination in the CCC, young
racism. While new laws surfaced mitigating the African American enrollees still lived
impacts of segregation, discrimination indisputably
remained. This column is not intended to focus on
and worked in separate camps.
this atrocious history, and we do not dispute that
progress moves at a snail’s pace. Rather, we want to ronment connecting thousands of people of color
recognize past threats to equity and inclusion and to parks, environmental and conservation projects,
offer a perspective of the affirmative efforts that and green job training opportunities across the
sometimes go unnoticed. This work should neither nation.
be invisible nor rendered as non-existent.
While there are many presidential executive
One example, the Civilian Conservation Corps orders (EOs) in existence, pertinent to parts of
(CCC) of the Roosevelt era in the 1930s, included this article is the seminal Executive Order 12898
African Americans on national park crews. History (“Federal Actions to Address Environmental
teaches us that despite a decree outlawing racial Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
discrimination in the CCC, young African American Populations”) issued by President William J.
enrollees still lived and worked in separate camps as Clinton in 1994. This EO outlines the crucial task
they experienced our nation’s parks and public lands for federal agencies to ensure “no racial, ethnic,
(both in their CCC work and during leisure time). cultural or socioeconomic group disproportionate-
While this is objectionable by today’s standards, the ly bears the negative environmental consequences
CCC and the parks it created, such as Prince Wil- resulting from governmental programs, policies, or
liam Forest Park, are a testament to the success of activities.” EO 12898 also directs these programs,
the program in exposing young African Americans policies, and activities to be conducted in a man-
to natural resources and environmental steward- ner that does not have the effects of exclusion or
ship early on. So many of these incredible programs discrimination towards minority, low-income, or
and efforts from the distant past go unnoticed and tribal populations. Furthermore, EO 12898 directs
unrecognized today. This is due, in part, because each federal agency to prepare a plan to integrate
there is still a dearth of visitor use “evidence” of environmental justice into its activities. Account-
the changes they spearheaded—and because their ability and follow-through, or lack thereof, would
efforts may seem inconsequential compared with be another chapter in our history.
today’s expectations. The gap between what they
accomplished and what we expect today has only In 1998 the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
been heightened over the past 15–20 years by an wrote a large compendium of programs and acti
increase in media hype focused on how agencies, vities offered by national wildlife refuges across
still, are fouling up and doing an inferior job in pro- the country to engage people of color. “Minority
moting diversity. Outreach in State Fish and Wildlife Agencies” (see
Roberts et al. 2009) is a report to the International
So, by the 1970s land management agencies had Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies by its
been making sporadic progress in promoting Education Committee, Subcommittee on Minority
diversity in natural resources and conservation Outreach. Assistance was provided by USFWS’s
for decades, yet challenges were clearly still plen- Management Assistance Team and the Division of
tiful. That decade proved to be a watershed for Federal Aid. This report was the result of the first
DEI. One exceptional effort that began during the initiative of USFWS to assess the nationwide status
1970s was the establishment of relationships and of state fish and wildlife agency efforts to reach mi-
cooperative education programs with Historically norities in both education and outreach programs
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), includ- as well as in workforce recruitment and retention.
ing with public land-grant HBCUs. In fact, many
pioneers in the natural resource, conservation, and Non-profits have equally served our communities
environmental studies arena are alumni of HBCUs. well in a multitude of ways for generations. From
And the Youth Conservation Corps, Young Adult the Fresh Air Fund established in 1877, to youth
Conservation Corps, and Job Corps models of the camps and Boy/Girls Scout programs in the early
1970s led the way for embracing an inclusive envi- 1900s, these long-standing organizations, built on
PSF 36/2 | 2020 177OBA was the brainchild of one of the
first women in radio, who was assisted
by a former Tuskegee Airman as well
the charitable backs of white people, have been as the first African American in the
“getting city kids into the outdoors to experience
nature” for a long time, conveying that this is not a
Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.
new phenomenon. Fast forward to 1962: Outward
Bound Adventures (OBA) was the brainchild of aged aggressive participation in the examination
one of the first women in radio, who was assisted of recreation, park, and conservation issues and
by a former Tuskegee Airman as well as the first public policy, and subsequently published The
African American in the Angeles Chapter of the Blueprint: Improving the Quality of Parks, Recreation
Sierra Club. Today OBA is known as “the oldest and Conservation Services for Minority Populations.
non-profit in the nation created and dedicated to Although the Blueprint was always a work in prog-
providing outdoor education, conservation and en- ress, it became well known and was presented at a
vironmental learning expeditions for primarily low national press conference in 2000, “Guiding princi-
income, urban and rural youth and their families.” ples for community engagement among minority
Their unique history actually began with their first populations in park, recreation, and conservation
trip in 1960 as a Junior Audubon Science Club for services.”
inner-city kids before they changed the name to
OBA and eventually obtained non-profit status in Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and
1967. Several years later, in 1972, the Environmental Related Sciences (MANRRS) started as a small
Careers Organization, a national non-profit, was group of minority students from the College of
created. For some 40 years before it closed around Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan
2012, it operated with a mission to “enhance the State University. Out of its networking activities
environment through the development of diverse stemmed the first leadership conference of
leaders, the promotion of careers, and the inspira- MANRRS in 1986 and a national conference has
tion of individual action.” The Roundtable Asso- been held annually since then. Today, more than 60
ciation (RTA), also now defunct, was a national colleges and universities have MANRRS chapters
non-profit organization established in 1984 that and natural resource agencies nationwide have
provided African American recreation, park, and been able to recruit students who have participa
conservationist professionals with an independent ted and competed for permanent employment. In
and non-partisan forum for deliberation and deci- the late 1980s, a group of educators and cultural
sion-making. RTA closed down when the founder, and community activists created the Three Circles
Ira J. Hutchison, passed away. RTA’s forum encour- Center for Multicultural Environmental Education
to help shift environmental
education towards a broader,
more authentic and inclusive,
community-based approach.
The center seeks to “intro-
duce, encourage and cultivate
multicultural perspectives and
values in environmental and
outdoor education, recreation
and interpretation.”
Although only a small part of
this brief history, in 1991 the
First National People of
Color Environmental Leader-
ship Summit propelled the en-
vironmental justice movement
onto the national stage. This
Outward Bound Adventures participants on 10-day backpacking trip to the High Sierras, circa 1964–1965. event brought together over
| COURTESY OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURES ARCHIVES
300 African, Latino, Native, and
PSF 36/2 | 2020 178Asian Americans from all 50 states. A noteworthy city kids to the outdoors, where they “traded their
addition here is that the Second National People of Walkmans and Gameboys for sleeping bags and
Color Environmental Leadership Summit was held backpacks” (BLM, 1995, p. 3). WOW offers the
in 2002 to review the accomplishments of the move- excitement of outdoor recreation and environmen-
ment over the previous 11 years. Although other tal education through an overnight camping ex
opportunities for information exchange have been perience at local Los Angeles recreation centers or
organized since then, no additional summits from parks. One of the earliest and most unique collabo-
this prominent start have been held to date. Next, rations, WOW program partners and founders
it is important to mention the Student Conserva- include the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
tion Association (SCA), founded by Elizabeth “Liz” Walt Disney Company, Chevrolet, Coleman, and the
Titus-Putnam in 1957. It is the nation’s largest and Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
oldest provider of national and community service All contributed to the mission of introducing urban
opportunities in conservation involving student and youth to the wonders of the outdoors, educating
adult volunteers in the stewardship of public lands, them about outdoor recreation and community
including natural and cultural resources. In 1993, building skills, and teaching them environmental
SCA established the Conservation Career Devel- stewardship (e.g., service projects were part of each
opment Program (since renamed) to embrace the overnight camp-out) (BLM 1995).
challenge of diversity by working primarily, but not
exclusively, with people of color and women. The National Hispanic Environmental Council was
founded in 1997 as a policy, program, and advocacy
WOW (Wonderful Outdoor World), established organization that works to ensure Latinos have
in 1995, is one of the first programs to introduce a voice and a seat at the national environmental
Students in SCA’s Conservation Career Development Program learning to WOW, Wonderful Outdoor World, was one of the first programs to introduce
build steps on a trail . | COURTESY STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION ARCHIVES city kids to the outdoors. | BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWSBEAT ARCHIVES
PSF 36/2 | 2020 179Mosaic in Motion conferences were a
series of workshops designed to forge
connections between people of diverse
decision-making table. A year later, in 1998, the ethnic backgrounds and America’s
James P. Beckwourth Outdoor Education Center
was founded as a mentoring and development
national parks and public lands.
program for Denver youth ages 8 to 18. While the
Beckwourth Mountain Club for adults (founded in seek to create “an intentional space for black,
1993) still exists, the youth program is no longer in indigenous, and people of color/the global major-
operation. A core goal was to groom urban youth ity who participate in US-based movements for
“to be responsible and productive members of environmental education, access, and justice; land
society through leadership programs, peer and par- sovereignty; conservation; climate justice; food
ent accountability, and interaction with nature.” justice; and others.”
Regarding a few milestone events, NPCA led the On the cultural and historic front, the Association
charge of three national-level Mosaic in Motion for the Study of African American Life and History
conferences. Held in 1999, 2000, and 2002 in (ASALH) has worked with both NPS and NPCA to
different cities across the country, they were a raise awareness about the critical role the federal
series of multi-day workshops designed to forge agency plays in protecting and interpreting the
connections between people of diverse ethnic African American experience. Founded by Dr.
backgrounds and America’s national parks and Carter G. Woodson in 1915, ASALH played an
public lands. Coupled with the first event was the instrumental role in working to get his home in
advent of NPCA’s groundbreaking Community Washington, DC, designated as a unit of the na-
Partners program that ran from 1999 to 2003. tional park system. ASALH has lobbied on behalf of
This initiative was established to connect national Obama-era national monument designations that
parks in six major cities more closely to racially also helped diversify our national parks, such as
and ethnically diverse constituents. Several years Pullman National Monument in Chicago and the
later, stemming from the NPS’s continued recog- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument in
nition that African Americans are one of several Alabama. ASALH’s work deserves mention because
underrepresented visitor groups to national parks the strong, yet not well understood, connection
(see, for example, NPCA’s 2009 Diversity Task between the National Park Service and the pres-
Force Report), the Breaking the Color Barrier ervation of African American history and culture
in the Great Outdoors conference and expo was serves as another tool for connecting black and
organized by Earthwise Productions in 2009. This brown people to sites ranging from Yosemite to the
one-time event showcased the broad diversity Frederick Douglass Home.
among Americans who are committed activists,
protecting our environment, conserving our natu- There are many more angles that could be includ-
ral treasures, and performing extraordinary feats of ed to help connect more dots. For instance, while
personal accomplishment in the “great outdoors.” exposure, experience, and experiential learning in
For those unaware of this history, it was believed
this conference was one of the first of its kind. It
brought together the same kind of diverse leaders
and added a broader grassroots perspective from
conservation, outdoor recreation, historic preser-
vation, and higher education as did its predecessor,
Mosaic in Motion.
The most current endeavor, launched in 2017,
known as PGM ONE, “People of the Global Major-
ity in the Outdoors Nature & Environment,” is a
national summit by people of color, for people of
color. Following that successful first annual event,
the effort has upheld its vision and grown to serve Participants at the PGM ONE Summit, Berkeley, CA, 2019.
| NINA S. ROBERTS
more than 350 professionals of color. Conveners
PSF 36/2 | 2020 180“We do things outdoors that are founda-
tional and are being passed on to others,
often unbeknownst to us. And, we may
the outdoors is essential, stewardship and educa- or may not be alive later on to see the
tion must continue too, as well as all the efforts,
including by people of color, that occur to diversify
growth and changes that occur....”
the national park system and designate new units.
It is our conviction that sharing with people the then until now, however, this question is still being
fact that our parks are more relevant based on the asked: Are you connecting the dots as you educate
stories and resources they protect is an equally and train the Next Gen? Decade after decade, there
effective way of educating and diversifying the have been people of color in the outdoors and a
constituency for national parks and other protect- multitude of efforts and initiatives to increase
ed areas. use and access. Are young people learning this in
school or in their field-based environmental educa-
These non-profit organizations and federal pro- tion programs? Is history repeating itself or is this a
grams have done for 50+ years what folks today false narrative?
have only just begun to do in last 10–15. These seeds
were unquestionably foundational. Everything go- Professionals in outdoor/parks organizations, from
ing on today is rooted, directly or indirectly, in what small and large non-profits to wealthy corpora-
came before. A major difference between then and tions as part of the outdoor retail industry, began
now is that we currently have more people of color to experience “diversity trainings” in the 1980s
creating and/or managing policy. Additionally, they and 1990s (and still do today). “Cultural compe-
have been working diligently to ensure that “Green tency” discussions about people of color outdoors
Groups” (e.g., environmental non-governmental or- have continued to occur year-after-year since the
ganizations) and FLMAs are both operating in ways 1990s. Consequently, organizations began setting
that are more equitable, just, and inclusive. There new goals to “get people of color into parks” (or
is a comfort and pleasure in knowing about all the other outdoor spaces) and new entities were being
new programs that also get young people from established and growing. With that, additional
diverse backgrounds into the “great outdoors.” A studies about constraints and barriers for people
crucial insight is that if it weren’t for people of color of color surfaced and are still occurring today
and our allies working on policy, there would be (e.g., Chavez, Winter, and Absher 2008; Zanon et.
less “great outdoors” for all people in which to play, al. 2013; Roberts 2015; Flores et al. 2018). Beyond
explore, learn, serve, heal, and more. As Reginald merely observing that “they can’t get there and
“Flip” Hagood (former vice president with SCA) don’t have the money,” issues of sociocultural per-
once said, “We do things outdoors that are foun- mission in communities of color remain. We must
dational and are being passed on to others, often ask ourselves how people of color can feel like they
unbeknownst to us. And, we may or may not be can and should get outside without having to spend
alive later on to see the growth and changes that cultural capital in order to do so. This is not a new
occur, even after us, as a result of our work.” From conversation. As the late, great Charles Jordan
professionals in the field and journalists to new (former chairperson of the Conservation Fund)
organizations sprouting up across contemporary so- once said, “Oh Lord, we’ve been here before”
ciety, embracing this prior knowledge and culture of (C. Jordan, personal communication). There have
exchange that has paved the way is paramount. also been many exceptional books about diversity
in conservation and the environment that help
THE CONFLUENCE OF THEN AND NOW: keep this work moving forward (e.g., Cook 1992;
IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF? Enderele 2007; Finney 2014; Bonta, DeFalco, and
This current generation of work, these trends in Taylor-Smith, 2015).
the last 10–20 years, could merely be an extension
of the past with fundamentally new iterations Progress is key; and to some professionals it
today. Yet, what have we learned from those who feels like spinning our wheels reduces the ener-
came before us? We know there’s a myriad of ex- gy needed for even more forward momentum.
amples during the Civil Rights era and even during We would argue that while it’s easier to focus on
the Women’s Rights movement. Over 50 years ago, wheel-spinning, the harder and potentially more
people asked who’s at the table, who’s not? From meaningful work is to acknowledge that, even with
PSF 36/2 | 2020 181The popular media claims that there is
a “lack of diversity outdoors, in parks,”
past failures, there is a large number of individu- when in fact we are out there,
als, groups, and businesses who make good-faith we’ve been out there (for centuries),
efforts to drive this change and progress. Can we
expect after decades of incredible efforts to have
but you have just chosen not to see us.
completely eradicated racism or sexism? The an-
swer is unequivocally “no.”
to advocate, advocate, advocate today is a play
Where we do believe there is room for improve- on the famous Frederick Douglass quote “agitate,
ment is in rewriting the narrative that mainstream agitate, agitate.” It’s impossible, in our opinion, to
environmental organizations continue to pedal, divorce advocacy for relevance, diversity, and in-
advancing their own set of wheels. The traditional clusion in FMLAs from advocacy for better budgets
models serve to rescue people from an abyss of that will facilitate the ability of these agencies to
stress and lack of connection to nature. People hire, train, and retain a professional workforce that
of color and other “underrepresented” groups has the skills needed to develop relevant educa-
are often targeted as people who have never been tion programs, as well as inclusive and equitable
inspired by the grandeur of “iconic” places in the interpretation. Additionally, advocating for build-
West, from Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to ing community relations, especially beyond park
Crater Lake and Mount Rainier. Hence, the insinu- boundaries, is becoming even more essential today.
ation is such individuals must be lacking meaning For critics to continue beating up FMLAs (e.g.,
and joy in their lives. A more contemporary version NPS, BLM, US Forest Service) for poor perfor-
of this thinking recognizes people of color may mance is amateurish, ineffective, and unproductive.
have been prevented from entering national parks
or spending time in “the great outdoors” due to de- Groups such as NPCA have decades-long track
liberate acts of exclusion, and so have been robbed records of successful struggles to maintain strong
of feeling as if these places were our own. The protections for clean air and water in our national
current undertone that people of color may only be parks, better protections for wildlife, and contin-
equal to our white counterparts if we benefit from ued efforts to ensure greater access for people from
such park experiences is ill-informed at best. diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to our parks.
All these examples and more, along with the con-
Again, with the surge of new entities sprouting up, comitant need to make those sites more relevant to
and with social media to support a multifaceted black and brown people, are why increased advoca-
effort to reach young people of color, a new gen- cy across cultures is so vital.
eration may experience these “issues” differently.
That is absolutely essential; and part of the issue is The latest development in this long and both
that when new entities surface, we embrace them vibrant and tumultuous history was the passing of
yet wonder how best to educate about what and America’s Public Land Act of 2019 (see Congress.
who came before, including what worked and what gov, H.R.1276). It was the result of great fortitude
did not. While some people use language indicating across party lines, and includes favorable provisions
“we need to start getting more people of color out- for both Native Americans and African Americans.
doors,” the real need is to remind people that we In summary, while some of the issues facing our
must continue what has taken other professionals, public lands have changed over the years, the need
and pioneers, decades to cultivate and endure. for an actively engaged group of citizen advocates
prepared to fight for the best interests of these
SHOULD THE FUTURE FACE OF places remains critical to their survival; this per-
ADVOCACY FOR PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS sistence must endure as unimpaired for the benefit,
BE A BLACK OR BROWN ONE? enjoyment, and inspiration of current and future
The popular media has been spinning its wheels generations. That is where concern about the
with journalistic bewilderment perpetuating the negative impacts of the claim that national parks
claim that there is a “lack of diversity outdoors, in are “America’s best idea” come into play.
parks,” when in fact we are out there, we’ve been
out there (for centuries), but, as noted by Graham
(2018), you have just chosen not to see us. A need
PSF 36/2 | 2020 182They then stumble to the erroneous
conclusion that black and brown people
who lack a dedicated connection to
THE TROUBLE WITH THE NATIONAL PARKS national parks are not living life to the
“BEST IDEA” NARRATIVE: A CASE IN POINT fullest, and must be brought into the fold.
In 1983 Wallace Stegner (the American novelist,
environmentalist, and historian) stated, “Nation-
al parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely 2000). Put directly, as people of color, we want to
democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than know: “Will we be welcome, will we be safe, and
our worst” (as quoted on nps.gov). Stegner was will a park experience have any benefit or relevancy
certainly on to something when he lauded the idea to our lives?” It is clear, from the low numbers of
of holding lands in a permanent public trust to in- people of color who do visit our national parks
spire all people. Unfortunately, over the last three (although this continues to increase), that many of
decades the “best idea” concept has undergone a us have decided the answer to those questions is
strange metamorphosis from a values statement “no.” This answer continues to profoundly baffle
about the significance of this country’s commit- those who support the best idea concept.
ment to preserving public spaces, to a code of
conduct and thinking that has separated dyed-in- Still, some best idea proponents have developed
the-wool park users and advocates from those less a genuine desire to resolve issues of race, racism,
steeped in the tradition of actively loving and using justice, equity, and inclusion when it comes to
the outdoors. And, this at exactly the moment national parks and other public lands. Unfortunate-
when our parks and public lands are facing a vari- ly, they then stumble to the erroneous conclusion
ety of novel threats from bad budgets to harmful that black and brown people who lack a dedicated
policies that require as broad, engaged and enraged connection to national parks are not living life to
a constituency as we can muster to defend them. the fullest and that they must, by any means
necessary, be brought into the parks fold. Again,
How can describing our national parks as “Amer- note the assumption that parks maketh man and
ica’s best idea” be divisive? Because it takes as its woman. They do not.
guide star the views of a handful of people and
assumes that the rest of us either agree with their According to a survey by Mandala Research (2018),
outlook or are possessed of a moral failing that African Americans, for example, spent roughly $63
keeps us from placing national parks at the center billion on travel and tourism. More than half of
of our universe. This is not evil, but it is myopic. those surveyed took a vacation to places that were
And it’s also fundamentally about race and a lack more than 100 miles from their homes, with the
of understanding on the part of some white park Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Mexico leading the
enthusiasts regarding how some black and brown list of international destinations. African Ameri-
people view their parks and public lands. One cans are quite amenable to spending money to visit
argument frequently used to rebut the need for en- places and engage in activities that have meaning
hancing cultural diversity is that if black and brown and relevance to their lives. It turns out that Jamai-
people aren’t visiting and advocating for national ca, Ghana, and the backwoods in North Carolina
parks, then so be it. That is their decision, probably are more desirable to the souls of black folks than
based on some innate lack of appreciation for those a visit to North Cascades National Park. Conse-
spaces, and given this is a free country in which quently, in the absence of visiting national parks,
people are entitled to go (or not go) where they we have developed meaningful traditions that feed
please, why force the issue? us emotionally and spiritually. As people of color,
we can be, and in fact are, whole and well-traveled
It rarely, if ever, occurs to proponents of the “they people, good or even great Americans, even if our
don’t get it” mindset to examine the circumstances itineraries have not traditionally included national
that led to a disconnection between some people of parks. So, please do not attempt to inform us that
color and their public lands. Access, safety and rel- we are losing out.
evancy were, and still remain, significant issues of
concern for black and brown people when it comes As national parks advocates, we understand the
to visiting (or even thinking about visiting) nation- need to better connect communities of color to
al parks (see Chavez et. al. 2008; Floyd 1999; Taylor our parks and public lands. That mission, however,
PSF 36/2 | 2020 183It is also essential to recognize the
Congressional Black and Hispanic
caucuses, who have two of the best
must not be born from the misunderstanding that environmental and pro-national parks
black and brown people are lost and in need of res-
cuing. Rather, we ought to reclaim Stegner’s origi-
voting records in congressional history.
nal concept about our national parks: that our now
more than a century-long commitment to holding much more than they need our validation; the truth
some of the most significant natural, cultural, his- is, people of color love and enjoy outdoor spaces
toric, scenic, and recreational places on the Ameri- and public lands in ways that are real yet merely
can landscape permanently in trust for the benefit, not always understood. And, we must continue
enjoyment, and inspiration of all Americans—and acting and engaging communities of color like we
everyone else on Earth as well—is a righteous idea. understand the fate of our parks and public lands
Here are some examples of how this particular idea depends upon them.
is best supported.
A CHALLENGE TO PROFESSIONALS,
First, let’s ensure that we continue to create ADVOCATES, AND AGITATORS
and sustain a just, equitable, diverse, and inclu- Progress has been made. The Next 100 Coalition,
sive movement that protects our national parks for instance, is yet another—also newer—entity
and public lands. Second, let’s encourage this by comprising people of color representing black and
acknowledging that people of color have played brown interests in JEDI work related to “public
pivotal roles in park use and defense from the lands for all.” Formed in 2016, this coalition seeks
Buffalo Soldiers who patrolled Yosemite and to represent and show up in new ways based upon
Sequoia National Parks in the early 1900s to the or- old ideas of justice, equity, and inclusion. The Next
ganizing and activism of the Roundtable Associates 100 Coalition, the pro-parks and public lands work
and the National Hispanic Environmental Council. of the Hispanic Access Foundation, and a slight
Additionally, it is also essential to recognize the but significant increase in the number of black
Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses, who, and brown professionals working on public lands
in the 21st century, have two of the best environ- and environmental protection, are all in some way
mental and pro-national parks voting records in descendants of Ira Hutchison (Roundtable Associ-
congressional history. Third, it is vital to disdain ates) and Iantha Gantt-Wright (formerly of NPCA).
the idea that parks are, or need to be, at the center We need to honor and embrace that mighty legacy.
of everyone’s universe by engaging those perceived
to be the “uninitiated” in a respectful manner that Furthermore, well-intentioned professionals should
does not invalidate their personal choices and exercise caution when making the statement “it’s
preferences. We, park advocates, need the passion, the right thing to do.” We will all embrace that line
commitment, and stewardship of people of color when this work is connected to the bottom line.
Any agency, Green Group (non-profit or federal
agency), or individual who engages in JEDI work
because they believe it is the “right thing to do” is
doomed to fail. Any professional commitment to
JEDI must be grounded in an organization’s mis-
sion and vision and unquestionably tied to their
bottom line. Without putting up the necessary
resources to succeed and prove one’s dedication to
the change and progress being made, agencies are
destined for a tailspin. Otherwise, whenever the
“real work” has to be done, resources (time, people,
money) get pulled away and diversity digresses. The
human dimension across cultures gets the short
end of the environmental stick when it comes down
to the proverbial “budget crisis” or “we can’t afford
Outward Bound group at New Army Pass, Sequoia National Park / Inyo it.” The coincidence of how the “it” routinely per-
National Forest, circa 1970s | COURTESY OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURES ARCHIVES
PSF 36/2 | 2020 184Despite the rising numbers of people
of color who want to climb the highest
tains to people of color and/or individuals with less peaks and ride class-five rapids, a
access, is no fluke; just connect the dots. significant proportion of us get the same
JEDI work cannot be separated from advocacy
thrill from a rewarding battlefield walk.
for better budgets and more humane and reason-
able policies set forth to govern our public lands. of non-users taking the time and effort to visit and
Due to funding constraints, over the last 10 years get to know. Moreover, everyone’s help is needed
NPS staffing levels have decreased by 11% while to ensure that our public lands survive and thrive
park visitation has increased by 19% (see NPCA, into the next century. What does it take to seek this
“Support Increased National Park Advocacy”). In level of crucial support in perpetuity?
addition, NPS historians are so focused on com-
pliance with Section 106 of the National Historic A continued lack of RDI, EDI, DEI, or JEDI is ul-
Preservation Act, and with the National Environ- timately the single largest cultural problem facing
mental Policy Act, that they cannot maintain their parks and other public lands in the US today. An
agency’s commitment to developing and maintain- acronym is just a label—call it what you want.
ing cutting-edge interpretation that’s both bold in We need a systemic cultural change that can only
outlook and accurate and inclusive in scope. Better happen when people are willing to acknowledge
budgets could help resolve both these challenges. the challenges, take individual responsibility for
them, and hold others accountable. The only way
For people involved in outdoor recreation, en- we can change the outdoor culture is by a massive
vironmental education, natural resources, and alteration in individual mindsets, including insti-
conservation who care about this work, and tutions across varying disciplines (e.g., outdoor
have contributed to forward momentum, under- recreation, conservation, natural resources), from
standing this history and evolution is essential. passively non-racist to actively anti-racist. At
Consequently, this is not just about the “great the end of the day, the sun always sets—and the
outdoors.” Two-thirds of our national parks, and start of a new dawn sets the sails for either a new
a wide spectrum of other public lands, are sites beginning or increasing the momentum.
whose primary purposes are historic and cultural.
Despite the rising numbers of people of color who
want to climb the highest peaks and ride class- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
five rapids, a significant proportion of us get the We are grateful for some of the history, back-
same thrill from a rewarding battlefield walk or ground, and fact-checking of various details
a ranger-led tour of a historic site. The Maggie provided by a few colleagues. Appreciation is also
Walker home in Richmond, Virginia, managed by extended to various leaders who confirmed brief
NPS as a national historic site, may be just as like- statements about their organization. Thanks also
ly to connect people of color to the national park to Shelton Johnson, park ranger for 27 years at
system as a three-day hike through Yellowstone or Yosemite National Park, for his expertise relating
Arapahoe National Forest. to the Buffalo Soldiers. Additionally, Bill Gwaltney
and Reginald “Flip” Hagood, pioneers in this work,
What we frequently see in contemporary main- now retired from the National Park Service and
stream media sources is a lack of recognition of Student Conservation Association, respectively,
what’s been going on and why and/or why not provided a wealth of knowledge and remain active
(e.g., see The State of Diversity in the Outdoor as leaders on several boards of directors.
Industry). For people less aware and, perhaps,
considered “non-users,” a vital message that
must continue to be widely shared is that the US REFERENCES
has an amazing system of parks and public lands. Bonta, M., T. DeFalco, and C. Taylor-Smith. 2015.
Many agencies, non-governmental organizations, Diversity and the Conservation Movement. New York:
and individuals have worked hard for decades National Audubon Society. Retrieved February 23,
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and accessible. We think the sites and resources
protected and interpreted therein are also worthy
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Nina S. Roberts, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism at San Francisco
State University. She is also the faculty director of Community Engaged Scholarship and Learning for the
SF State Institute for Civic and Community Engagement. A Fulbright scholar, Nina has spent most of her
career in the field, including with the Student Conservation Association’s National Urban & Diversity Pro-
gram and the Natural Resources Information Division with the National Park Service prior to joining the
ranks of higher education.
Alan Spears joined the National Parks Conservation Association in 1999 and is currently the senior director
of cultural resources in the Government Affairs department. A graduate of Howard University, he serves as
NPCA’s resident historian and cultural resources expert. He has also served as the staff lead or co-lead on
several recent national monument campaigns. Earlier in his career with NPCA, Alan managed the National
Parks Community Partners program, an initiative that connected national parks in several urban areas to
more racially and ethnically diverse constituents.
The views expressed in editorial columns published in Parks Stewardship Forum are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the official positions of the University of California, the Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity, or the George Wright
Society.
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